HC Innsbruck is starting the new year with a five-point lead in the ICE Hockey League! The leader of the table easily won 5:1 against bottom-placed Pioneers Vorarlberg on Friday and thus maintained the lead over HCB Südtirol. The Bolzano team won 5:2 in Villach. Black Wings Linz defeated KAC 1-0, RB Salzburg and the Vienna Capitals also celebrated victories.
The west derby in Innsbruck was a clear thing for the Tyroleans, who, thanks to defender Jamal Watson (7th, 20th), went into the first break with a 2-0 lead and were never in danger again. Adam Hewelka impressed with one goal and three assists. Eight days after the 7-0 home win, Salzburg again took three points against Olimpija Ljubljana, but this time it was much more difficult. The Red Bulls gave up a 2-0 lead, and in the finish Paul Huber (57′) shot the defending champion to victory, who advanced to 3rd place. VSV had to admit defeat against South Tyrol at home and missed the chance to get within one point of Bozen. The Adler ultimately fell behind in the 24th minute and conceded two more goals in the last few minutes. Black Wings Linz won the duel for fifth place in Klagenfurt against KAC, which was still heavily weakened by substitutes. Shawn St-Amant scored in the 50th minute. Minute the only goal in the game. In the fourth duel of the season with Fehervar, the Vienna Capitals celebrated their first victory. The Viennese led 2-0 against the runners-up from Hungary, but had to tremble again after the goal (57th) before they secured victory with two empty net hits.
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